Watching the Mountain

Xu Ran silently watched Zhang Zhentian.

He was the same man, still dressed in the same dark martial garb. His body looked just as strong, and his features were unchanged.

But in Xu Ran’s eyes, he looked like a complete stranger compared to the man he was before he left.

It had only been five years.

The confidence and composure Zhang Zhentian once had were gone without a trace. Now, all that remained was a dejected listlessness. He was completely lifeless, like a walking corpse.

Looking at Zhang Zhentian like this, Xu Ran recalled Teacher Qing Xuan’s words about putting his enlightened Dao into practice. ’Is this what they mean when they say the world remains, but the people change?’ he wondered.

’If so, what should I do?’

Ever since Zhang Zhentian had challenged him during one of Teacher Qing Xuan’s sermons, an inextricable bond had formed between them.

After losing to him on the dueling platform, Zhang Zhentian had spent the next decade or so as his shadow, looking up to him with admiration.

He had watched him grow up. Though Zhang Zhentian was his junior brother, Xu Ran felt more like an older brother to him.

’So, seeing the boy I watched grow up—the boy I was once so proud of—end up like this... is there anything I can do for him?’

This wasn’t just about Xu Ran considering how to practice his own Dao; it was also about the promise he had made to Flowing Clouds Master.

In fact, Zhang Zhentian had been back for a month after being dismissed.

After returning, he had stayed in his Cave Mansion, never going out, completely sealed off in a world of his own.

This continued until yesterday, when Flowing Clouds Master found Xu Ran, brought him to Zhang Zhentian’s Cave Mansion, and, fuming, pointed at Zhang Zhentian and said:

"Here. This is your junior brother. Hurry up and take him away."

Hearing this, Xu Ran stared at Flowing Clouds Master, his face a mask of stunned confusion. "Elder Flowing Clouds, what do you mean by that?"

Flowing Clouds Master’s eyes widened in a glare. He then bellowed in a gruff, booming voice:

"What other meaning could there be? Didn’t I just tell you to take him away? He’s your junior brother. If you don’t take him and instead leave him here in my Cave Mansion to be an eyesore, I’ll have to start charging you rent."

"What?" Xu Ran was completely baffled. "Elder, you’re going to charge me rent? But he’s your grandson!"

Flowing Clouds Master glared again and said fiercely, "He is not my grandson. I have no such useless grandson! A good-for-nothing who can’t even handle a single, minor failure! If word got out that I have a grandson like him, how could I ever show my face in public again?"

Xu Ran knew Flowing Clouds Master was saying this to provoke Zhang Zhentian, but he was still inwardly shocked by how quickly the old man changed his tune.

Just over a month ago, he had been constantly boasting to everyone about how wonderful his grandson Zhang Zhentian was.

Yet now, in the blink of an eye, he could say such things so naturally. Of course, it was also possible that he was truly frustrated by his grandson’s failure to live up to expectations.

However, it was clear that Flowing Clouds Master was going to be disappointed. No matter what the two of them said, Zhang Zhentian just sat there, dazed and numb, his expression not changing in the slightest.

Seeing this, Flowing Clouds Master flew into an even greater rage. He waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly, and roared, "Quick, get this good-for-nothing out of here before he sullies my sight!"

It wasn’t until Xu Ran had brought Zhang Zhentian back to his own Cave Mansion that Flowing Clouds Master sent him a message:

"I originally wanted to ask Qing Xuan True Monarch, but he’s currently in seclusion. So, after thinking it over, I decided to ask you. After all, you were the one who guided him before, and there’s the example of Shen Wuchen. So, please, I’m entrusting him to you. Help him pull himself together. Even if he can no longer become the Evergreen Sword Saint, at the very least, just help him become a normal person again."

Reading the message from Flowing Clouds Master, Xu Ran’s heart grew heavy. The line "at the very least, just help him become a normal person again" was enough to reveal the depths of Flowing Clouds Master’s love for Zhang Zhentian.

Zhang Zhentian remained silent after arriving at Xu Ran’s home. It wasn’t until the next morning that he finally spoke, his expression wooden as he said, "Senior Brother, I’m sorry. I failed."

After that, he fell back into a deep silence. No matter what Xu Ran said to him, he wouldn’t respond.

Xu Ran watched him like this for a long time, deep in thought. Then, a profound emotion of Sadness began to emanate from him, enveloping Zhang Zhentian.

Ordinarily, with Zhang Zhentian’s level of strength, he could have easily resisted if he had tried. It would have been very difficult for Xu Ran’s Mental Realm to affect him. But he didn’t resist at all, and was instantly immersed in that feeling of deep Sadness.

The world changes; people are lost to time.

As he felt this emotion, Zhang Zhentian’s numbness turned into a dull stupor. It was a long while before any sort of feeling flickered across his face.

He slowly shifted his eyes, his gaze landing on Xu Ran with a look of shock.

He had never known that, in addition to the Death Realm, his senior brother had also comprehended another Mental Realm. And this one seemed far from simple; it had managed to temporarily dispel the despair and numbness in his heart, leaving only a lingering sorrow behind.

"Senior Brother, you..." He opened his mouth, but for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

Xu Ran waved his hand, signaling for him to hold his thought. Then, with a serious expression, he said, "First, tell me: right now, do you feel alone?"

"I..." Zhang Zhentian was silent for a moment, then nodded. He then asked in confusion, "Why is this happening?"

Xu Ran replied calmly, "The Great Dao is a solitary path. That is my understanding of the Dao. I have always believed that I can attain enlightenment and true freedom. Likewise, I believe this path is ultimately a lonely one, because there is no guarantee that anyone in this world can accompany me all the way to the end. Perhaps, when all is said and done, I will be the only one left."

"Eventually, all family, friends, glory, and humiliation will become nothing more than scenery on the path to enlightenment, or just memories."

"When you are the only one left in the world, everything from the past will seem unimportant. The Dao will be your only companion."

"I..." Zhang Zhentian’s pupils contracted slightly as he stared at Xu Ran in disbelief.

He had never seen such an air of confidence about his senior brother before.

He felt as if he were truly seeing his senior brother for the very first time.

’He’s always been certain he could achieve enlightenment and true freedom?’

’Is Senior Brother being serious?’

’With *his* talent?’

Seeing Zhang Zhentian’s reaction, Xu Ran smiled faintly and asked, "What? You don’t believe me?"

’This was the exact reaction he wanted.’ In truth, he wasn’t sure if those words reflected his true feelings anymore, though he had indeed thought that way before.

But now, he was just saying it for Zhang Zhentian’s sake.

Zhang Zhentian nodded.

"Then let’s have a match. We’ll fight at the same Realm, just like last time."

Hearing this, Zhang Zhentian was taken aback for a moment. He then said hesitantly, "Senior Brother, my strength isn’t what it used to be, but..."

He knew Xu Ran’s strength. He wanted to say, ’Senior Brother, even as weak as I am now, I’m still out of your league.’

Xu Ran’s expression remained calm as he said, "We’ll only know if that’s true after we fight."